Consumers Could Have Beef With High Prices

Expect to pay more to grill steaks and hamburgers on Labor Day weekend.

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Expect to pay more to grill steaks and hamburgers on Labor Day weekend.

Beef prices at the supermarket are 6% higher than last year, said Rich Nelson, director of research at commodities research firm Allendale Inc. in McHenry. The retail price for choice beef was $4.44/lb. in July, up from $4.18 a year earlier, according to the USDA.

"Meat prices are trending up, probably to the highest they've been in a few years," said Bob Goldin, executive vice president at food industry consulting firm Technomic.